Respawn has pushed a new live balance update for Apex Legends, and two of Season 29’s most talked-about Legends are already getting hit. Axle and Conduit have both received nerfs, with Respawn targeting Axle’s Nitro Gate and Conduit’s Radiant Transfer.
The update comes shortly after Apex Legends: Overclocked launched with Axle as the newest Legend and Conduit receiving major changes to make her a more appealing support pick. However, the early Season 29 meta quickly became frustrating for many players, especially with high-speed pushes, extra shields, and aggressive team compositions becoming harder to deal with.
While these nerfs are a step toward slowing things down, the community reaction has been mixed. Some players think Conduit needed to be toned down, while others feel Axle’s most annoying tools were barely touched.
Apex Legends Axle and Conduit Nerfs Are Now Live
Respawn confirmed that the latest balance update has already been pushed live. The update focuses on two abilities, Axle’s Nitro Gate and Conduit’s Radiant Transfer.
Axle’s Nitro Gate has been adjusted by reducing the maximum number of gates that can exist in the world from three to two. Its health has also been reduced from 150 to 100, making it easier for enemy teams to destroy before it creates too much pressure.
On the other hand, Conduit’s Radiant Transfer has received several changes. The regen rate has been reduced from 15 shield per second to 10 shield per second. The regen duration has been increased from six seconds to eight seconds, but the total ally regen has dropped from 90 to 80, while total self-regen has dropped from 60 to 56. The Instant Barrier regen duration has also been increased from four seconds to six seconds.
This looks like Respawn is trying to make both abilities less explosive while keeping their identity intact. In practice, players are already debating whether the changes hit the right targets.
Axle’s Nitro Gate Gets Toned Down
Axle has been one of the biggest talking points of Apex Legends Season 29. As the newest Legend, she was designed around speed, sliding, aggressive repositioning, and movement-heavy engagements.
Nitro Gate is the main focus of this update. By reducing the number of active gates from three to two, Respawn is limiting how much map control and movement utility Axle can create at once. The health reduction from 150 to 100 also means teams should have an easier time destroying the gates before Axle and her squad use them to push, escape, or chain momentum through a fight.
The biggest issue with Axle is not just that she moves fast. Apex Legends has always been a movement-heavy battle royale, and Respawn even explained before Season 29 that Axle was designed after looking at the long-term importance of movement Legends in the game.
The problem is how much pressure her kit can create when paired with other aggressive Legends. In ranked and high-skill lobbies, fast pushes can already be difficult to stop. When Axle gives her team more ways to close distance, displace enemies, and force chaotic fights, the game can start to feel overwhelming.
Conduit’s Radiant Transfer Nerf Is More Controversial
Conduit’s nerf is arguably the more controversial part of the update. Before Season 29, Respawn wanted to make Conduit a more appealing pick, and her buffs helped push her back into the conversation. But with Season 29’s faster tempo and aggressive team comps, her ability to keep teammates topped up with temporary shields quickly became a problem.
Radiant Transfer now regenerates shields more slowly, dropping from 15 shield per second to 10 shield per second. The duration is longer, but the total value is lower, meaning players get less burst protection during a push.
Respawn’s adjustment seems aimed at reducing that mid-fight sustain without completely removing her role as a shield support. Still, many Conduit mains are not happy.
Axle and Conduit Nerfs Are a Start, but the Debate Is Not Over
The latest Apex Legends update makes it clear that Respawn is watching the Season 29 meta closely. Axle’s Nitro Gate is now easier to destroy and less spammable, while Conduit’s Radiant Transfer provides less total shield value at a slower rate.
These are meaningful changes, but they may not be enough to calm the community just yet. Axle still has the kind of movement pressure that can dominate fights, and Conduit’s nerf has already sparked debate over whether she was hit harder than necessary.
